Stretching machine



Feb. 4, 1947. RM O 2,415,135

STRETCHING MACHINE Filed March 13-, 1946' 3 Sheets-Sheet l Arm.

' \NVENTOR \lJlLLlAM F. Moon a Sheets-Shet 2 \NVENTOR ATTORNEYS 1947. w.F. MOON STRETCHING MACHINE Filed March 13, 1946 WILLIAM F. Moon 8 u w 1r 7f: 0 1 n, 0 u a M. H n L4 a a W .2 l 0.. R MN .m I 0\ 4 T O HQ. QPMXM\Jrmass:

Feb. 4, 1947.

w. F. MOON Q 2,415,185

STRETCHING MACHINE Filed March 15, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 \NVELNTORIWILLIAM E Moon W Q'K ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 4, 1947 UNITED STATESPATENT" OFFICE STRETCHING MACHINE William F. Moon, Grand Rapids, Mich.Application March 13, 1946, SerialNo. 654,191

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to stretching machines and moreparticularly to machines for stretching widths of lengths of tubularfabric.

The primary objects of the instant invention are to provide a machine ofthe general characterabove indicated which is highly efficient in i'tsintended use; to provide such a machine which is relatively simple inconstruction; to provide such a machine whichmay be convenientlyoperated; and, to provide such a-rnachine which is reasonably economicalin manufacture.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentar longitudinal sectional view of the stretchingmachine;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one innerforward side of the machine;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the forward side;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 but on an enlarged scale;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 but on an enlarged scale; and

Figure '7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the stretchingmachine similar to Figures 2 and 5 but on a larger scale.

Referring then to the drawings wherein like parts of the machine shownare designated by the same numerals in the several views, the same isprovided with a pair of horizontally disposed laterally spaced elongatedframe members II], II and a pair of transversely disposed verticallyspaced shafts I 2, I3 each provided with a longitudinal groove 39 areeach rotatable within journal bearings I4 of the pair of spaced framemembers I9, II.

The shaft I3 i here shown as provided witha V-shaped pulley wheel I5secured adjacent one end thereof and a gear wheel I6 secured adjacentits other endis in mesh with a gear wheel I1 secured adjacent the end ofthe shaft I3 above the gear wheel I5 whereby rotation of the shaft I3 bymeans of power transmitted to the pulley wheel I5 effects a counterrotation of the shaft I2.

A pair of spaced V-shaped rollers I8, I9, each shaft I2, I3 and whoseopposite pair of arms 2I' slidably embrace a shaft 22 secured betweenthe framemembers I 0, II rearwardly of each shaft The transverse portion23 of each H-shaped member 2| is provided with a longitudinal screw'threadedbore and a shaft 24 rotatably mounted with the, screw threadedbore of its companion H-shaped member whereby each companion pair ofrotatable V-shaped rollers I8, I9 may be drawn one toward the other orbe moved one away from the other.

A pair of separable mandrels 29, 30 adapted for insertion between eachproximate pair of V- shaped rollers I8, I9 are V-shaped and invertedV-shaped in form and are maintained in. spread relation to each other bymeans of helical expansion springs 3I loosely embracing pairs ofco-axial pins 32 projecting toward each other transversely of the troughportion of each pair of separable mandrels 29, 30 adjacent theirrespective ends as best seen in Figures 5-7, and each separable portion29, 30 of the pair of separable mandrels is provided with a transverselysecured U-shaped bracket 33 adjacent an end thereof between whose armsis a Wedge shaped rotatable roller 34, 35 each adapted to berespectively rotated by a V-shaped rotating roller I9, 20 when a lengthof tubular fabric 36 is interposed therebetween, as best viewed inFigures 1, 6 and '7.

Either roller 34, 35 may be stationary or in the form of a ball or inthe form of a bulbous member permitting slippage of the fabric 36thereover since it is necessary to have but one feed roller alongopposite sides of the length of tubular fabric being drawn through andstretched by the machine.

Operation In operation, the separable mandrels 29, 30 and their fixedrotatable rollers 34, 35 are withdrawn fro-m the machine and each pairinserted within an open end of an elongated length of fabric, tubular incross section,after which the predetermined width of the fabric to bestretched is fixed by rotating the cranks 26 governing the position ofthe V-shaped rollers I8, I9 on their respective shafts I2, I 3.

Each set of separable mandrels is thereupon inserted between a companionpair of V-shaped rollers, l8, l9 after which power, actuating the pulleywheel l5, efiects rotation of the rollers IS, IS to draw the fabric fromthe spool 31 through the machine and permit it to be wound on the spool38, as best viewed in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, and thus stretch thematerial to the predetermined width.

It will thus be seen that the machine herein shown and described ishighly .eflicient in its intended. use, ma 'be-- conveniently operated;is simple in construction, and is reasonably economical in manufacture,specific embodiment of the invention has been hereinshown and described,it will be understood that certain details of the construction shown maybe altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the inventionas the same isdfined rollers adapted to be inserted there-between andhaving a pair or lateral oppositely dispbsed members, one of saidmembers" being a wedge-shaped roller adapted to be rotated by aV-"sha'ped roller during its rotation in instances wlie're'in a lengthofitubular fabric is engaged ther'ebetween and drawn thereby, and meansfor rotating said shafts;

and While but one 4 2. In a machine of the class described, a pair ofparallelly disposed vertically spaced oppositely rotatable shafts, eachprovided with a pair of spaced V-shaped rollers rotatable with theirshaft and adjustably slidable thereon toward and away from each other, anon-circular mandrel adapted for insertion between each companion pairof rollers adapted to be inserted therebetween and having a pair ptlateral oppositely disposed wedge shaped r'oll'erst each ad apte'd to berotated by a V-shaped roller of a companion pair of said rollers duringtheir rotation in instances wherein a length of tubular fabric isengaged th'erebetween and drawn thereby, and means for rotatingsaidshafts.

3'. In a machine of the class described, a pair of parallelly disposedvertically spaced oppositely rotatable shafts, each provided with a pairof spaced V-shaped rollers rotatable with their shaft and adjustablyslidable thereon toward and away from each other, a longitudinallyseparable eress=seenena11y e'x'pensible mandrel adapted for insertionbetween each companion parent rollers andhaving a; pair of lateraloppositely disposed wedge shaped rollers each adapted to be rotated by aV-shap'e'd roller of a companion pair of said rollers during theirrotation instances wherein a' length of tubular fabric is engaged.

threbetween anddrawn thereby, and means for rotating said shafts; V n WF. MOON;

